Hong Kong is a metropolitan city surrounded by tranquil seas with scenic mountainous areas in the countryside – the best place to visit for an all-in-one experience within short distances from each other.
Ngong Ping 360, Lantau Island
Photo: np360.com.hk
Take a 25-minute cable car ride with the 360-degree panorama of HK International airport, Lantau Island and HK-Zhuhai-Macau bridge up the traditional Chinese themed Ngong Ping Village for a spiritual adventure. It houses plenty of eateries, shops, you can savor a vegetarian meal and perform incense burning ritual at the Po Lin Monastery, climb up 268 steps to the majestic outdoor bronze Buddha statue and walk the Wisdom Path which consists of giant columns inscribed with the “Heart Sutra”, among other activities.
Ngong Ping 360 Station is located next to MTR Tung Chung Station
Website | +852 3666 0606 | Visitor Information | Ticket
Victoria Peak
Photo: thepeak.com.hk
Getting to the Peak on an 8-minute ride by the Peak Tram, a 130 year-old steep funicular railways is an unforgettable experience. At the Peak, inside the avant-garde Peak Tower, there is a dazzling array of restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, the highest 360° viewing platform- Sky Terrace 428 and the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Explore the Mount Austin Road Children’s playground, Victoria Peak Garden and various walking trails.
The Peak Tram Lower Terminus – 33 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong (10 min walk from MTR Central Station Exit J2)
Website | How to get there (bus, car and hiking)
Avenue of Stars, TST
Photo: hongkongnews.com.hk
The Avenue of Stars on the Tsim Sha Tsui sustainable-designed Promenade pays tribute to celebrities of Hong Kong film industry, showcasing copper-coloured handprints and autographs of the stars on the balustrades against the world renowned Victoria Harbour view. Experience the “Water of Stars” musical fountain show every night [Schedule] in front of K11 Musea. It is also the best vantage point to watch the 14-min “A Symphony of Lights” that links interactive lights of buildings and attractions spanning across the harbourfronts every night at 8pm. Fireworks will be used on special holidays.
MTR Tsim Sha Tsui East Station Exit J | Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Station
Hong Kong Wetland Park, Tin Shui Wai
Photo: wetlandpark.gov.hk
The park has a 60-hectare wetland reserve recreated with diverse wetland habitats, providing facilities including Stream Walk which is home to a lot of stream wildlife, Succession Walk with a boardwalk to explore water and floating plants, Mangrove Boardwalk to take a closer look at mangrove plants and animals species, Bird Hides equipped with telescopes and field guides, Butterfly Garden with common plants that attract butterflies. Visitors can also attend workshops at the Wetland Discovery Centre, meet Pui Pui the crocodile at Pui Pui’s Home and and there are five galleries in the Visitor Centre showing you different aspects of wetlands.
How to get there: Train, bus, car or bicycle
MTR to West Rail Tin Shui Wai Station, change to LRT 705 to Tin Sau Station (via tunnel) or Wetland Park Station
Website | Map Guide | Wetland Plants & Animals | Ticketing – Fee (adult): $30
Repulse Bay, Southern HK Island
Photo: thepulse.com.hk
Repulse Bay 淺水灣 is one of the most expensive residential areas in the world. The Repulse Bay Beach was artificially extended hence the sand closer to the seashore is coarser than the sand further away. There is a beachside complex, the Pulse that offers beach-front shopping, and brings beachside al fresco dining experience to HK. You can also visit the Kwun Yam Shrine at Tin Hau Temple located at the southeast part of the beach. It is believed that crossing the Longevity Bridge in front of the shrine would add days to your life.
How to get there: Bus, Taxi, Car
Website | Shops at the Pulse | Restaurants in Repulse Bay
Theme Park
- Hong Kong Disneyland | Lantau Island | Website | MTR Sunny Bay Station (Tung Chung Line) to Disneyland Resort Station in a Disney themed train
- Ocean Park | Wong Chuk Hang | Website | MTR Ocean Park Station – marine animals, aquarium and other animals theme park with rides, shows and trails.
- Noah’s Ark | Ma Wan Island | Website | From MTR Tsing Yi Station, take Exit C and walk to the bus terminus for the Tsing Yi and Park Island bus service to Noah’s Ark | Ferry: Central to Park Island Pier, walk 1 km to the park | Standard Ticket: $198
Beach
- Discovery Bay | Lantau Island | Website | Take the ferry from Central to Discovery Bay Ferry Pier (Fee & Schedule) or travel by bus from MTR Sunny Bay Station. Taxi can only reach DB North. Private vehicles entry is restricted – Shopping, dining, events at DB Plaza (right outside the Ferry Pier). Beach activities, picnic and children’s playground on Tai Pak beach. Serene pet friendly Central Park. The White Chapel, promenade at DB North. Discovery Bay Lookout Loop Hiking Trail : 2.35km | 1 hr | Difficulty: medium.
- Stanley | Southern HK Island | How to get to Stanley Plaza | Stanley Waterfront Promenade connects Ma Hang Park, Murray House (Victorian-era iconic landmark relocated from Central), Blake Pier, Stanley Plaza (Shopping Mall), Stanley Market (open air street market for tourists) and Stanley Waterfront Mart (promenade restaurants). Stanley Main Beach is 10-minute walk from the Waterfront.
- Cheung Chau | Take ferry from Central Pier No.5 (Schedule) – Fishing village turned tourist attraction. No cars allowed, you can walk or cycle. Bun Festival with parade and stunts (When). Southern- Kwun Yam Wan Beach (popular for windsurfing) and Mini Great Wall Trail at the east side of the beach. Walk along the promenade 2km+ to the western part of the island is Cheung Po Tsai Cave (famous pirate’s hidden treasure).
- Dragon’s Back Hike/ Shek O | MTR Shau Kei Wan Station exit A3, take Bus no.9 (Bus Route) and alight at “To Tei Wan/ Dragon’s Back Stop” (for the hike) or Shek O Stop (for Shek O Beach) – Hike the trail that resembles the shape of dragon’s back to Big Wave Bay (8km/ 2.5 hrs). It is a fairly easy hike and steep descent to Big Wave Bay which is popular for surfing.
Park
- Hong Kong Park | Central | Admiralty Stn (Exit C1) or Central Stn (Exit J2) – The biggest Aviary in Hong Kong (with a cool elevated walkway), a huge children’s playground with a long tunnel slide, Conservatory for climate-controlled plants, botanical garden, water features, Sports Centre, The Peak Tram, etc. It can also be reached via Pacific Place Shopping Mall (Admiralty) by taking the escalator all the way up to the park.
- Nan Lian Garden | Kowloon | MTR Diamond Hill Station (Exit C2) – gorgeous pond, traditional Chinese structures, artificial waterfall, exhibits of rockery, pottery, prayer beads, vegetarian restaurant, Tea house and souvenir shop. This zen garden is connected to the Buddhist temple, Chi Lin Nunnery, the only surviving architecture of the Tang Dynasty.
- Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre | Lantau Island | 15 min walk or Bus R8 from MTR Disneyland Resort Station – Pleasant man-made lake which is also a reservoir, 1500m jogging trail, children’s playground, botanical garden, water fountain on the lake, bridge across natural-looking artificial waterfalls and boulders. You can rent paddle boat or surrey bike. Convenience store at the entrance.
Shopping, Restaurant & Others
- Tsim Sha Tsui (TST), Kowloon | MTR Tsim Sha Tsui/ East Station – It is the most popular tourist area, hotels with amazing harbour view.
- Nathan Road (Exit A1) – restaurants, shopping malls and street shopping
- Kowloon Park (Exit A1)
- Harbour City (Exit L5) – premier shopping
- 1881 Heritage (Exit L6) – Colonial architecture featuring luxury shops, amazing X’mas & CNY decor
- Hong Kong Space Museum, Cultural Centre, Clock Tower, Star Ferry (Exit L6)
- TST Promenade & K11 Musea (Exit J)
- Mong Kok, Kowloon | MTR Mong Kok Station – better hotel deals and budget accommodation
- Ladies Market (Exit E2 or D3) – bargain souvenirs and fashion goods
- Local street food – 41 Dundas Street (Exit E2), 125 Fa Yuen St which is the intersection with Mong Kok Rd and is also where Fa Yuen Street Market is (Exit B3), 174 Fa Yuen St (braised beef offal)
- Sneakers Street (Exit D3)
- Langham Place Shopping Mall (Exit C3) – biggest mall in Mong Kok
- Causeway Bay, HK Island | MTR Causeway Bay Station
- Time Square (Exit A) – big mall with plenty of restaurants
- Fashion Walk (Exit E) – High fashion, Designer concept stores, beauty products, popular international and local restaurants
- Victoria Park (Exit E)
- SOGO (Exit D2/ D4) – upscale mall
- Jardine’s Crescent Street Market (Exit F) – streetwear and bargain goods
- Percival Street Tram Stop (Exit B) – affordable ($2.60) and fun iconic mode of transport to explore the city
Ref: Wikipedia.org
